A colonial police station and prison compound is transformed into a new heritage and arts centre in Hong Kong; fairs, biennials and the hope for more artistic freedom in southeast Asia increase; the gender debate starts heating up in the Asian arts scene; and great shows in art galleries and on stage are just some of the highlights of 2018.

Here’s a look back at some of our top stories from the Hong Kong and Asian arts scene over the past year.

1.Tai Kwun complex

The new Tai Kwun complex is the culmination of Hong Kong’s most ambitious heritage restoration project and adds much-needed arts venues to the space-starved city. It cleverly merges new buildings with a former police headquarters and prison, and local restorers learned valuable techniques for similar projects in the future. You can read about its restoration here.

There were eye-catching openings in the commercial world, too, with a number of international art galleries moving into the new H Queens building in Central this year.

2.Gender bias in focus

In 2018, the issue of gender bias in the visual arts became a talking point in Hong Kong because several surveys independently found that women artists have a lot less visibility than their male counterparts.

In Hong Kong, our reviewer was impressed by a strong season from local dance companies, such as the Hong Kong Ballet’s outstanding performance of Giselle. We also reported on Yip Wing-sie’s decision to step down as the long-serving principal conductor and music director of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

5.Jarring notes

Among the positives for the arts were some negatives. The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong and choral group Tallis Vocalis were among the music groups and musicians who accused a Hong Kong impresario of being a serial defaulter. And a Hong Kong art dealer was caught up in a lawsuit regarding a missing US$1.4 million Yayoi Kusama sculpture.